BOOKISH THOUGHTS....new goals and updates!

 Hello my lovely readers!

A couple of bookish updates for you....

NEW GOALS
My goal (retroactive as of 2025) is to read a book from EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY in the world and a book from all 50 states.

It's ambitious, but I'm giving myself until 2029 to do so (more so for the Read Around the World challenge.) Just this year alone, I've read books from 20 countries and I wasn't even trying! Last year, I read books from 16 countries and again, I wasn't keeping track or trying to do so. 

I've spent about a week researching books that I want to read and adding tagging them on Libby, so I'm ready! I have between three to five books for each country, so I'll have options--just in case I have to DNF one. I'm excited! I truly think I can accomplish this goal.

The 50 states challenge was a spur of the moment thing. This year, I've read books from 19 states, so I figure I can get this knocked out by next year or this year if I'm super intentional. No pressure though!

OTHER UPDATES
I bought a third Kindle. Shame on me...but this one is my active Kindle! I have two Kindles. One is the basic Kindle that my hubby bought me in January 2025. The second is the Colorsoft that I bought myself for Christmas. Both have all of the books from my Libby tags (nonfiction/fiction) on them, so they aren't coming off airplane mode for a VERY LONG TIME.

This third Kindle, I bought used off Facebook Marketplace and it's the Paperwhite. I've even gone down the rabbit hole and ordered some stickers and Kindle inserts to go with it. Holy consumption, Batman! I have used it a lot more than my other two. It's my immediate Kindle, so whatever books I want to read immediately from Libby, go straight to this one. Yes, I did have the Kindle app on my tablet, but it hurts my eyes to read on that one, so here we are. The tablet is solely for Libby books that can't send to Kindle and Hoopla books. Don't ask, just nod your head and agree, we're all about consuming books in all forms!

I recently discovered reciprocard.com and got a library card from Orange County, which I'm very excited about! Next weekend, I'm going to stop by Randolph County and Chatham County either on my way to or from Greensboro, and pick up my library cards. This means I'll need to free up space on my Libby account because I'm currently maxed out at 50 cards, but I have a few expiring this year that I won't renew, so it all works out!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2026 Book Goals

 HAPPY NEW YEAR MY LOVELY READERS!

It seems like it's a tradition, that every year around this time, something goes askew in my life.

2024: I was pregnant, in pain and my reading went down the drain.

2025: Sickness, housing issues, traveling...shenanigans!

2026: MORE SICKNESS!

We all caught a terrible stomach virus over Christmas, starting with Charlotte and were LAID OUT.  We had to push Christmas back by a few days as well as the New Year, because apparently,  germs like to stay with me long-term. I was sick on New Year's Eve and New Year Day. I'm just now beginning to feel like myself.

Last year, I read the most books I've ever read at 91 books! I think it helped that I didn't set a reading goal for 2025. I also CRUSHED my 2025 reading goals which were to read more, visit the library more and consume books in all forms. Done, done and done.

So, what are my goals for this year?

1. READ WHAT I OWN
   Girl, why are you shouting? Well, it's because I have roughly 500 books in my house and I've only read approximately 130 of them. Shameful. Also, out of the 91 books I read last year, probably less than 20 percent were books that I OWNED. SHAMEEEEE.
   
   Once I get through my backlog of library books, I'm prioritizing my shelves before anything else. Yes, I'll still check out library books, but I'm limiting it to only four per month (and they can be physical or on Libby). I've got to take control of my poor, poor shelves.
   
   
2. Participate in more book challenges 
   I've never been one to take  part in book challenges, except for the 10 Books 10 Decades Challenge (which I was two books shy of completing in 2025, waaah!). But this year I'd like to get out of my comfort zone and do more challenges. Here are the four I'm participating in for 2026:
• 10 Books 10 Decades Challenge-pretty self explanatory
• Hefty Tomes-read 10 books that are 500 pages or more
• Personal Five-read five books that have a personal connection to you (prompt-based)
• 12 Lives Challenge-read 12 biographies in 2026
  

An added bonus is that I'm ONLY reading books from my shelf for these challenges, so again, win-win!

I'm not putting any pressure on myself, but I'd like to reach these goals this year and I think I will. Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Plus, 2025 Book Goals

 HAPPY NEW YEAR MY LOVELY READERS!

We have finally made it to 2025!

The last two months have been super hectic with closing on our house, catching COVID for Thanksgiving, moving in, then moving out due to a supply line break, traveling to Boston for Christmas, getting sick AGAIN and then moving into our rental house.

Needless to say, I'm behind on my reviews but it's OK! 

I've still been able to get some reading done which is the most important thing. Anyway, here are my book goals for 2025.

1. Read more
   Last year, my goal was to read 15 books and I did! However...it was a huge drop compared to years before. Plus, since becoming a mom, my reading intake has also plummeted. I'm not giving myself a numerical goal this year as it will just add more pressure and leave me disappointed if I don't make it. 
   
   What I DO want to ensure is that I read MORE. When my daughter is napping on me, in the waiting room, stuck in traffic, I want to ensure that I'm always reading.
   
   
2. Consume books in any form
   I'll admit, I was a physical book snob. I believed that physical books were superior to audio books and e-books, but you know what...the words are still the same no matter how you consume them. Audiobooks have helped me when I'm doing dishes, driving or walking. I just got a Kindle and now I can use that to read e-books and put down the phone. 
   
   I obviously still love my physical books and they still reign supreme! But if I can finish a 1,000 page book using all three forms of books....it's a win for me!
   
   
3. Visit the library more
   Since having my daughter, we've visited the library a lot more and I can't believe I ever stopped going! I've always had a library card, but I never made it a priority to visit. That all changes this year. I'm making it a point to stop buying so many books and check out what's in the library.

Those are my goals for the year. Simple and to the point. I can't wait to update this blog more with my reviews. :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Book Goals for 2024

Hello my lovely readers!

Happy New Year!

It's no surprise that I haven't been as active on here due to my pregnancy and all the shenanigans that have been taking place with it. However, with us being in the year 2024, I do want to give ya'll my book goals for this year!

Last year, I was EXTREMELY ambitious in my reading goal of 100 books for the year and reviewing EVERY SINGLE BOOK. Not only did reading start to feel like a chore with that goal, but by the time I found out I was pregnant, I was completely burnt out. I don't think I'll ever commit to reading 100 books in a year EVER again.

So here are my reading goals for 2024!

• Read 15 books. --Yes, this is a super low number, but I'm giving birth this year and I want to be realistic.
• Read what I own--Last year, I tried (and failed) to put myself on a book buying ban. With saving our money to buy a house, having a baby and daycare costs, there's not going to be a lot of money leftover for book spending (which is a blessing and a curse.) Plus, I have SO many books on my shelves that I need to get to, so win win?
• Re-read my favorites--Toward the end of 2023, I found myself re-reading a lot of books that I hadn't read in years and I want to keep that up this year. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the books I read in high school (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Awakening and Their Eyes Were Watching God to name a few) and I want to continue that trend. There are so many books on my shelves that are say are my ALL TIME FAVORITE, but I haven't read in years. Let's change that in 2024!

Three goals. Pretty simple. No pressure. Happy New Year!